What causes shortness of breath on exertion? 52 possible conditions

What Is Shortness of Breath on Exertion?

Shortness of breath on exertion
is a term used to describe difficulty breathing when engaged in a simple
activity like walking up stairs or going to the mailbox.

It’s also known as:

SOBOE

breathlessness on exertion

exertional dyspnea

dyspnea on effort

exertional breathlessness

short of breath with activity

dyspnea on exertion (DOE)

While each person experiences
this symptom differently, it’s usually marked by feeling like you can’t catch
your breath. Normal breathing is relatively slow. When you begin breathing
faster and feel that the breath is shallower, that’s what shortness of breath
feels like. You may switch from breathing through your nose to your mouth to
try and get more air. When this happens without athletic exertion, it becomes a
concern.

Many people feel short of breath
during strenuous activity if they are not accustomed to exercise. But, if you
have a sudden onset of difficulty breathing doing routine, day-to-day
activities, it may be a medical emergency. Shortness of breath on exertion is a
sign that your lungs are not getting enough oxygen in or getting enough carbon
dioxide out. It can be a warning sign of something serious.

Causes of Shortness of Breath on Exertion

Shortness of breath occurs as a
result of the interaction of many physical and even psychological factors. A
panic attack, for instance, is something triggered by the brain but with very
real, physical symptoms. It could even be the result of environmental
conditions if air quality is poor in your area.

All of the following can be connected to
shortness of breath on exertion.

chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)

congestive heart failure (CHF)

asthma

poor physical conditioning

late-stage pregnancy

anemia

pneumonia

pulmonary embolism

lung disease (intersitial
fibrosis)

tumor

obesity

kidney disease

liver disease

Diagnosing the Underlying Cause of Shortness of Breath

When you have shortness of breath
on exertion, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. They will ask
about your medical history and provide an exam. Tests will help determine the
cause of your breathlessness. These tests may include:

chest X-rays

CT scan

exercise testing

pulmonary function studies

lab tests including a blood test

Treating Shortness of Breath

Treatment for this condition will
depend on the findings of the medical tests. Management will focus on treating
the cause of the shortness of breath.

For instance, if it’s caused by
asthma, an inhaler may be used as treatment. If it’s a sign of poor physical
condition, your doctor will likely suggest a fitness program. Sometimes, you
will simply have to cope with the symptom until the cause is resolved. In
pregnancy, for instance, your breathlessness will improve after the baby is
born.

How to Recognize a Potential Medical Emergency

A sudden onset of shortness of
breath could be a sign of a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if you have
any sudden onset of feeling short of breath, especially if accompanied by:

air hunger (the feeling that no
matter how deep you breath, you still are not getting enough air)

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

The aorta is a large artery that carries blood out of your heart. If you experience a dissection of the aorta, it means that blood has entered the wall of the artery, between the inner and middle layers. This can happe...

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that affects blood flow to the lungs. It can damage part of the lung due to restricted blood flow, decrease blood oxygen. The most common symptom is shortness of breath.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a condition that occurs when the heart muscle is weakened due to insufficient blood flow to the heart's muscle. This inhibits the heart's ability to pump blood and can lead to heart failure.

In mitral valve prolapse the flaps of the heart's mitral valve do not close correctly, which can make blood leak from one chamber into another. Lifelong heart abnormalities likely contribute to this condition.

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, which occurs when the body does not have enough of the mineral iron. The body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body's tissues...

The aorta is the main artery of the body. Oxygenated blood leaves the heart by way of the aorta and is carried to all parts of the body. The left ventricle is the chamber of the heart that pumps blood into the aort...

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins located around the anus or in the lower rectum. Internal hemorrhoids develop within the anus; external hemorrhoids develop outside of the anus. Of the two forms...

The thyroid gland produces a hormone that controls how your cells use energy (metabolize). Hypothyroidism occurs when the body doesn't produce enough. Untreated, it can cause comlications like obesity and heart disease.

Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes of the lungs are permanently damaged and enlarged, which causes infections and blockages in the airways, and gives the skin a blue appearance.

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening condition that results when you lose more than 20 percent (one-fifth) of your body's blood or fluid supply. This severe fluid loss makes it impossible for the heart to pum...

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